Latonya Renee Murchison, the mother of 23-year-old Jami Raiziah Griffin, has been charged with accessory after the fact in connection with a horrific crime involving her son. Griffin is accused of attempting to kill his girlfriend, 20-year-old Ashanti Downey, by allegedly dousing her in gasoline and setting her on fire.
Police arrested Murchison on New Year’s Eve in Harnett County. According to warrants, she was present during the incident and allegedly took steps to help Griffin evade justice.
The warrants allege that Murchison knew Griffin was facing serious charges and assisted him in avoiding arrest. Specifically, she is accused of transporting Downey away from the crime scene to hide its location, failing to contact law enforcement, providing false information when questioned by authorities, and attempting to discard the victim’s clothing to cover up the crime.
The incident occurred on December 16, 2024, near NC 27 West and Barbecue Church Road as Downey was walking toward a Dollar General in Sanford. Authorities were alerted around 6:55 p.m. by staff at Central Carolina Hospital, where Downey was initially treated for second- and third-degree burns on the right side of her body. She was later transferred to a specialized burn center and remains in critical but stable condition.
Boyfriend Arrested For Allegedly Setting 20-Year-Old Girlfriend on Fire in North Carolina
Griffin faces charges of attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, and assault on a female. He is currently held at the Harnett County Detention Center on a $1 million bond.
Murchison is also in custody at the same facility, with her bond set at $500,000.
